Stock Clerk / Glossary :

PA

n. 1. The STORE'S Public Address system. When not otherwise in use, a steady stream of MUS-ICK! issues forth, periodically punctuated by pre-recorded PROMOS. See also PAGE, below. 2. (Very rarely) a Performance Appraisal, or job review.

Packing Theory

n. The scientific discipline that provides a mathematical basis for optimizing the arrangement and stacking of quantities of items within a given space.

NOTE: I acknowledge that this is the deep end, and that I don't know much about it. However, I do know that...

TRUE STORY: Packing Theory was invented by the British Navy, who back in the days of rigging and sail were desperate to maximize the number of cannon balls and kegs of powder stuffed into their ships of war. Seems that the last man, er, boat still shooting tended to win those engagements they kept having with the Spaniards, pirates, etc. Not to mention that resupply was often weeks or even months away.

Well, here in our present context we simply observe that there is often such a thing as A Better Way, but also acknowledge that cramming the most into a given space is not for us as desperate a priority as it was for those sailors way back then. Other things, like the appearance of neatness and visual appeal are equally important to STORE MANAGERS and CUSTOMERS alike, and deserve our diligent consideration.

For a little more about circle packing, with diagrams, see, e.g.,

^{http://mathworld.wolfram.com/CirclePacking.html}

Pad

n. The left-over cookie-sized punched-out center portion of a large circular FLOOR polishing or buffing machine insert used by the CLEANING CREW. See also CLEAN-UP.

NOTE: These things are mighty handy when used for various small cleaning jobs along with RED or BLUE JUICE. E.g., for the periodic cleaning the TAG rails fronting all of an AISLE'S bottom SHELVES, etc.

Page

n. Any call or announcement made over the STORE'S Public Address system: “Did you hear that page?” —v. To make such a call or announcement: “Did you page me?”

NOTE: Some people seem to thing that talking incredibly fast and/or sounding impatient or cranky is the right way to make a Page. Uh,... no.

Consider what's playing over the PA before your Page interrupts: MUS-ICK! and the occasional PROMO with professional production values. The idea here is to provide an audio environment that soothes and informs the CUSTOMERS. To help encourage them to be happy shoppers.

Thus, your style of speaking when making Pages should likewise soothe and inform. For example: “Customer assistance to Captain's Choice, please. Customer assistance to Captain's Choice.” Friendly; good manners; that kind of thing.

HOW TO: Make a PAGE

Pick up the telephone handset.

Press and release the "Page" button on the body of the phone.
Speak into the handset receiver slowly, clearly, and loud enough to be heard.

Repeat the message, saying the person's name or department name and the place or phone extension they should contact twice.
Press and release the small rectangular "Release" button on the body of the phone to break the connection silently and avoid making a loud audible “clunk” over the PA system.

Hang up the telephone handset.

Repetition and speaking slowly is important because—like you—other ASSOCIATES and MANAGERS are busy, are sometimes in a noisy environment, or are in the middle of conversations, and so on, and may not immediately “tune in” to what you're saying. So, help them out: speak slowly, clearly, and give the important information twice. If nothing else, it cuts way down on those ridiculous: “Please repeat the last page...” Pages.

Paid Sticker

“PAID” Sticker

“Paid” Sticker

n. A special sticker applied to CUSTOMER PURCHASES at CHECKOUT which are either too large to be bagged, or such as food and drink ITEMS which are bought by ASSOCIATES and will be consumed or used personally within the confines of the STORE. Contrast SUPPLY. See also RECEIPT.

Pallet

n. A low, roughly table-sized platform that supports and is used to transport STACKED CASES of various PRODUCTS: “Drop those pallets under the mezz.” See also CHEP PALLET.

NOTE: Pallets are typically made from either wooden ties with cross-laid slats or a single piece of heavy-duty molded plastic. Contents may be bound around the circumference in layers of wide plastic film WRAP to help add stability.

Pallet Board

n. A large piece of CARDBOARD shaped to fit over the full surface area of a PALLET. Used to protect PRODUCT from splinters, nails, etc.

Pallet Corners

n. Long, thick strips of heavy-duty, usually white CARDBOARD that are bent in a 90° angle down their length, and which are placed vertically at each of the four corners of a PALLET before it is WRAPPED, in order to protect the contents against damage.

NOTE: A typical application might be a full PALLET of cereal BOXES intended for a DISPLAY.

Paper PALLET

n. One or more occasional, special PALLETS kept aside to hold CASES of paper towels, tissues, and other paper goods of various kinds and sizes. See also WATER PALLET.

NOTE: While technically BACK-STOCK, CASES on the Paper PALLET are typically not put in the GUN because they are high-turnover, and will not spend any appreciable time in INVENTORY. These PALLETS get worked every SHIFT or so, as often as necessary to keep the SHELF reasonably full.

Park

v. To put something, typically a loaded RUNNER or PALLET, in a specified location, usually with the expectation that it will stay there for more than a little while, but will eventually be moved: “Park that under the mezz.”

Part-Time

n. (An ASSOCIATE who is) not FULL-TIME: “I'm only part-time, on weekends.”

NOTE: Part-Timers are guaranteed to get 16 or more hours per week, depending on need and availability, but less than 40 hours per week, and do not receive all the benefits that accrue to FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES.

Peekaboo Shelf

n. Also as “Peek-a-boo...” See TIE-IN SHELF. Also JUMP SHELF.

Perforations

n. A series of partial incisions on some CASES or PRODUCT PACKAGES, intended to allow for easier opening, or to create a DISPLAY CASE to support the PRODUCT on the SHELF.

NOTE: My advice on Perforations: avoid 'em if you can. Test if you can't. Pre-score any uncooperative perforations you're stuck with, so they'll actually work.

Perforations—and many other “easy open” conveniences of packaging with seductive invitations to “open here”—can be a great nuisance. Largely, that's because they don't work.

It's often best to avoid the frustration of wasted time and effort, and rely on an alternative in which you have greater confidence. My personal favorite is the SHARK CUT. With a sharp BLADE, you know that you're going to get a fast and convenient opening. No hassling with tear-outs, awkwardly-shaped openings, etc. SHARK CUT the top of a CASE on three sides, and you've got a lid on top, where it belongs, to prevent any leftovers from falling out the sides.

Thus, whenever possible, I ignore the perforations on CASES of gelatin or pudding snack cups, and on “open here” cases of cake and brownie mixes. I just SHARK CUT 'em. Things just go faster and better that way.

In those instances where I need a DISPLAY CASE, such as foil bags of instant potatoes, pouched tuna products, and so on, I'm always careful to first check the bottom of the CASE for tapes to be cut, so the upper part of the CASE becomes a lid that comes off nicely.

If not, and I'm forced to deal with the Perforations as such, I'll try one, carefully, to see if it cooperates. If not, the best bet is to lightly, or in some instances, completely pre-score the provided line or path of Perforations using your CUTTER, so that they don't tear out with unsightly blemishes, or fail entirely.

Peek-Cut

v. To peek, or look into the interior of a CARDBOARD CASE while piercing its side with a BOX CUTTER and drawing the blade around the outside of the BOX to trim away its lid and a significant amount of its upper portion, thereby reducing its height. —n. Any cut so made. See also BASE-CUT, BOX CUTTER, H-CUT, LIFT-CUT, SHARK-CUT, STACK-CUT, TAPE-CUT, TOP-CUT, TRAY-CUT, WINDOW-CUT, X-CUT.

NOTE: The purpose behind cutting away the upper part of a partially full CASE is to save space on a SPECIALS RUNNER and/or OVERSTOCK CART. And clearly, the benefit of using a Peek-Cut to do it is that you see what the KNIFE blade is doing in the CASE'S interior, and thus avoid creating inadvertent STORE DAMAGE as you attempt to cut away as much of the unwanted portion of the BOX as possible without nicking or cutting the PRODUCT inside.

Yes, you can get all macho about it, “guess-timate,” and possibly make many successful cuts without looking or peeking inside, but why put contents at risk? Don't. Instead—take a peek. It works much better that way!

Perishables

n. The Produce DEPARTMENT; that is, fruits, veggies, etc.

Phone Features

-. Beyond simple direct dialing, there are extra things you can do using the in-store Norstar® brand phones.

NOTE: However, unless you're a MANAGER, probably the only Phone Feature you should learn how to use is the first one listed: Feature-74 = Hold, also sometimes known as “call parking.”

There's an ordinary Hold button on the phone, yes, but if you use it, the phone is then tied up, and you can't use the phone for anything else.

Consider: sometimes you may get a call, and then want to transfer it to someone else, whom you'll want to PAGE. What to do? Feature-74 call parking to the rescue:

HOW TO: Put a call on HOLD using FEATURE-74

Ask the person on the phone to “Please stay on the line” while you transfer their call.

Press three buttons: [Feature] [7] [4]. The call you were handling is now on hold, and you're free to use the phone for other purposes, such as make a PAGE.

Notice the Holding Line Number on the LED readout on the phone; it's usually either 801 or 802 if there's already another call on hold somewhere else.

Make your PAGE as usual, including the Holding Line Number. For example, “GM, please take the call holding on 801. GM, 801 please.”

Hang up the phone. That call is still on hold, and anyone at any phone call dial the Holding Line Number (e.g., 801) to pick up that call. Meanwhile, you're now free to use the phone again or go on about your business.

Note that you can use Feature-74 to put a call on hold without making a PAGE, and thus you can pick up the call yourself on another phone. That's very handy, for instance, after you've run to a different AISLE to make a PRICE CHECK, or get some other information for a CUSTOMER.

Here are more Phone Features. However, my advice is, except for Feature-74, DON'T USE THEM:

DESIRED ACTION	PHONE BUTTONS TO PRESS

Hold	[Feature] [7] [4]

Background Music	[Feature] [8] [6]
Call Forward	[Feature] [4]
Call Pickup	[Feature] [7] [5]
Conference/Transfer	[Feature] [3]
Do Not Disturb	[Feature] [8] [5]
Exclusive Hold	[Feature] [Hold]
Last Number Redial	[Feature] [5]
Link	[Feature] [7] [1]
Message - Reply	[Feature] [6] [5]
Message - Send	[Feature] [1]
Page	[Feature] [6] [0]
Program External Autodial	[Feature] [*] [1]
Program Feature Autodial	[Feature] [*] [3]
Program Internal Autodial	[Feature] [*] [2]
Ring Again	[Feature] [2]
Speed Dial	[Feature] [0]
Transfer (if equipped)	[Feature] [7] [0]
Voice Call	[Feature] [6] [6]
Voice Call Deny	[Feature] [8] [8]

Cancel Features	[Feature] + [#] + Code

Except for Feature-74 call parking, the other Phone Features are given here just for the sake of reference. Once they were listed on cards on all the phones, but nowadays, most of those cards are missing. Thus, should you for some reason need this information, here it is.

Phone List

n. A directory of in-store telephone extensions.

NOTE: For example, these are the phone extensions I know about where I work.

By DEPT. NAME		By PHONE #
Bakery	264	227	Bookkeeping
Bookkeeping	227	231	Manager
Break Room	232	232	Break Room
Capt. Choice	238	233	Meat
Cheese	251	234	Produce
COC	299	235	Floral
CSM	301	237	Dairy
CSM Desk	300	238	Capt. Choice
Dairy	237	240	Service
Deli	250	242	Pricing
Floral	235	248	Unknown
Grocery, Floor	290	249	Unknown
Manager	231	250	Deli
Meat	233	251	Cheese
Mobile, Mgr #1	314	264	Bakery
Mobile, Mgr #2	315	285	Pharmacy
Personnel	308	290	Grocery, Floor
Pharmacy	285	291	Receiving
Pricing	242	299	COC
Produce	234	300	CSM Desk
Receiving	291	301	CSM
Service	240	308	Personnel
Unknown	248	314	Mobile, Mgr #1
Unknown	249	315	Mobile, Mgr #2

There's also an unused phone back in the Dairy/Frozen back hallway: x295. Plus, there's the series of “call parking” numbers mentioned above under PHONE FEATURES: x801, x802, ... and so on.

Occasionally you might hear a PAGE like, “Security, please call extension 804.” Since it's rare for the call parking lot to fill up beyond 802, for the most part, those are likely to be PAGES intended to spook a suspected SHOPLIFTER.

One last trick: If you need to talk to another STORE, and you know its STORE NUMBER, you can pick up any in-store phone and dial [6] + Store Number to be connected to that store directly.

Pick

v. To select something out of INVENTORY. —n. The item so selected. See also C&S TAG, MISPICK, PICK LIST, PICK OF THE WEEK, WAREHOUSE.

Pick List

n. A daily, computer-generated list of BACK-STOCK ITEMS to be gathered and THROWN to the SHELF: “I'm doing the Pick List.”

Pick List CART

n. A RUNNER of BACK-STOCK ITEMS that the computer “thinks” ought to GO to the SHELF: “Work the Pick List Cart next.”

Pick of the Week

n. 1. A weekly sales promotion of a usually small ITEM at the checkout registers. Abbreviated POTW. 2. CASES of the Pick of the Week ITEM received as part of the usual LOAD: “Where's my Pick of the Week?”

Pinwheel Fold

v. To close a BOX or CASE by laying flaps down in a clockwise or counter-clockwise order, and folding the last flap under the first to hold them relatively secure. —n. Any closure made in such manner.

Pinwheel Pack

v. To put PRODUCT into a BOX, CASE or CRATE by laying it down in a clockwise or counter-clockwise order, so that the same edge of the PRODUCT packaging is in contact with the outside edge of the container, regardless of the container's rotation. —n. Anything so packed.

NOTE: Wire MILK CRATES are the container of choice for ITEMS like 100-ounce plastic jugs of laundry detergent, and the Pinwheel Pack holds four of them nicely, with every label facing outward for ease of identification.

For pouches of rice or pasta side dishes, lay them on their backs in a pinwheel arrangement, possibly alternating head-for-toe in small STACKS so each composite STACK of STACKS in the pinwheel lies flatter.

As with all packing, the idea is to clearly show what's in there, plus (what may be a slightly competing objective, namely) to minimize the task of reorientation as ITEMS are later extracted.

Plan-O-Gram

n. A diagram or chart used by the RESET TEAM that shows the intended placement and arrangement of the HOLES for ITEMS on the SHELF.

Plastic

n. 1. A strong, flexible and usually transparent or translucent packaging material that's wrapped around tray CASES to keep contents safe during transport. See also H-CUT. 2. A strong, hard, and durable material used to form PALLETS: “Wood or plastic?” 3. The usual shopping bags into which CUSTOMER PURCHASES are placed upon CHECKOUT: “Paper or plastic?”

NOTE: Wrappers from around tray CASES of, e.g., spaghetti sauce, cat food, etc. all get recycled. While on your cart, stash them in a BOX, or better yet, a MILK CRATE to prevent them flying around and driving you crazy.

CAUTION: Out in the AISLE, be very careful to keep all Plastic wrappers under control so nobody slips on them!

Back in the BACK ROOM, put Plastic wrappers into the extra-large “CAN LINER” bag knotted to the door hinge of the BAILER in RECEIVING. When the bag is full, it gets cut off, tied closed, and thrown onto the TRUCK along with any BALES, PALETTES, etc. returning to the WAREHOUSE.

TIP: H-Cut Plastic Tops. Until you're sure it'll all GO, start with an H-CUT on top when you first open any plastic-wrapped CARDBOARD trays like spaghetti sauce or cat food. This keeps the CASE'S ends and edges tight, and helps maintain the package's integrity if it ends up on the SPECIALS CART or in OVERSTOCK.

Plexi

n. Short for PLEXIGLAS®. See GLASS.

Plexiglas®

n. See GLASS.

PLU

n. “Produce Look-Up (Code),” or “Price Look-Up (Code).” A numeric code, usually four digits, possibly five, on produce labels which is used by checkout cashiers to link the fruits or vegetables customers bring to be placed on their register's scale to the appropriate PRICE on a written list or in the STORE'S computer.

NOTE: The PLU is such a fixture of the GROCERY scene that nowadays almost nobody knows what the letters stand for—and that includes lots of people working in Produce departments! There's also some debate about whether PLUs are standardized across different stores and in different areas of the country. Most likely the answer is that the industry is in the process of promoting its standards. Different PLUs for different stores and different areas of the country makes no sense.

In any case, CUSTOMERS who use the U-SCAN self-checkout lanes can lookup PLUs themselves on a nearby chart, or get assistance from the overseeing U-SCAN operator.

According to one source, the usual produce PLUs of 4 digits (4011 for bananas, for example) are conventionally grown, whereas organically grown produce PLUs consist of 5 numbers, with the first number always 9 (94011, for example). Genetically modified produce PLUs have 5 digits, with first number is always 8 (84011, for example—and no, I haven't yet seen one).

Another thing I haven't yet seen is a 6-digit PLU, which “zero defects”-style posters in the BREAK ROOM cite as one specific cause of SHRINK. Thing is, none of the CASHIERS I've asked has been able to explain it to me either. Maybe that's why there's a problem!

Plus, (+)

v. To record on the (NEGATIVE ORDER WORK) SHEET the addition of one or more CASES put into BACK-STOCK: “Remember to plus that.” Also PUT IT IN THE GUN.

Pop Shell

n. The medium-sized shaped plastic tray used to support, move and stack groups of eight or so 2-liter soda pop bottles.

POP SHELLS Porch

n. The outside area accessed via ALARMED perimeter door that is enclosed by a high chain-link fence where STACKS of empty POP SHELLS, PRODUCT-specific PALLETS, plastic BREAD RACKS, and other such weather-proof VENDOR-owned ITEMS are stored to await pick-up on their next RUN.

NOTE: There is no doorknob, latch, or doorbell on the outside of the POP SHELLS Porch door. Thus, if you make the mistake of closing the door behind you, or the wind blows it closed, you are extremely stuck.

TRUE STORY: Yep. I've locked myself out. And of course, it was a windy, snowy, sub-freezing winter day. I quickly found an old broom handle and began banging on the outside of that door for all I was worth. The M.O.D. appeared after a few minutes—lucky for me he was in the BACK ROOM, relatively nearby—and said, “Don't feel too bad, I've done it myself.” Yet, wouldn't you know it: the next day, I heard about it from everyone!

P.O.S.

n. “Point of Sale.” I.e., typically a small DISPLAY near the checkout registers or other location where CUSTOMERS will be reminded and/or tempted to PURCHASE the DISPLAYED ITEM(S). See also BANANA CART and PICK OF THE WEEK.

POTW

n. See “Pick of the Week.”

Power JACK

n. A large, mechanized JACK with rechargeable batteries which has motors to lift and move heavier PALLETS than can be managed with a HAND JACK. Contrast HIGH-LIFT.

TIP: Don't Pull a Power Jack. Yes, it's true you have to pull a regular JACK—after all, in that case, you're the motor. But tug on a Power Jack the same way and you might dislocate your shoulder! Them puppies are heavy! You simply can't pull them. So, ease off. The whole idea is to use the handy thumb controls, steer, and just let it follow you. It might not be quite as fast as you'd like, but it sure is a whole lot easier than moving a PALLET-full of 32-pack CASES of bottled water with just a HAND JACK.

TIP: Stuck? Pump the Handle. OK, this one falls under “strange but true.” Sometimes you may press the Jack's “follow” button yet nothing happens. You look, and the key is in, the battery charged, the power on, but the hulk just sits there, “dead.” Here's what to do: lower the handle all the way to the bottom of its travel, until it goes “thunk” about parallel to the floor, and then raise it back up again. For some weird reason that seems to “wake it up,” and afterwards it works just fine. I know this sounds superstitious, stupid, whatever. The thing is, it actually works!

Price

n. The regular, OFF-SALE cost of an ITEM to the CUSTOMER. Compare SALE PRICE.

Price Check

n. A request by a cashier at a checkout register or at the CUSTOMER SERVICE DESK to have an ITEM'S PRICE verified by a STOCK CLERK visually inspecting the ITEM'S SHELF TAG: “I need a price check on (some item or other).” See also tip under DISCOUNT RACK.

Price Control

n. The DEPARTMENT responsible for maintaining SHELF TAGS, 3-UPs and other DISPLAY SIGNS, along with the pricing and other information shown on them.

Price Discipline

n. See PRICE CONTROL.

Priority Service

n. An urgent call over the PA announcing that the checkout registers have become backlogged or crowded, and for all DEPARTMENTS to immediately send personnel to the FRONT-END to assist the cashiers by serving as baggers. A way to quickly increase throughput at the registers and increase CUSTOMER GOODWILL.

Private Label

n. See STORE BRAND.

Product

n. A tangible ITEM which can be sold. Compare SERVICE.

Productivity

n. The rate and/or relative efficiency with which PRODUCTS are produced or SERVICES are performed.

NOTE: Everyone's always urging us to (in so many words) “Be more productive!” But, what does that mean? The overall answer is: to get more done in a shorter amount of time.

Now, if you're thinking, “But, but,... They're paying me by the hour,” then maybe you're suffering from a serious misunderstanding. Yes, they are paying you hourly, but your half of that bargain is to return good value for the money being spent on you. That is, you're supposed to be (more) productive.

Here's a few tips to help get you thinking along better (i.e., more productive) lines:

TIP: Move Faster. Sounds obvious, but if you push yourself a little harder, you'll get a lot more done.

TIP: Touch Less. If it's already on the SHELF, you save time by not moving it. That is to say, resist the temptation to tidy up, straighten and/or restack everything. We know it's not perfect, but you have too much else to do. So, only fix what really needs fixing, and then be sure that whatever you do THROW goes in nice and straight, LABELS-FORWARD, and beautiful. True perfection is getting the job done, not futzing with every detail.

TIP: Minimize Steps. To the extent possible, try to avoid zigzagging up and down the AISLE, or back and forth across it. Every extra step you take slows you down, reducing your productivity. Look at what you've got, and plan your trip down the AISLE accordingly.

Product Line

n. A collection of PRODUCTS, sometimes but not necessarily related or similar, from a single manufacturer; e.g., various kinds of bagged, salty snacks, or a family of soaps and detergents.

Promo

n. A promotional message or advertisement. See PA.

Punch In/Out

v. To enter your BADGE NUMBER into the TIME CLOCK in the BREAK ROOM when you start/finish your SHIFT.

Purchase

v. To buy something. —n. The ITEM or ITEMS so bought.

Purge

n. To periodically delete all INVENTORY records (i.e., OVERSTOCK STORE CODES and quantities) from the computer, so that they may be refreshed with current, more accurate data. —n. The result of such action: “They did a purge last week.”

NOTE: Purges are done as a matter of routine every six weeks or so.

At first glance it might seem crazy to routinely just all that information out and start over. I mean, STOCK CLERKS take a lot of time and trouble to record STORE CODES from SHELF TAGS onto CASES of OVERSTOCK and transfer them onto the SHEET so they can be entered into the GUN. Or at least, they're supposed to.

And that's the rub. Consider how easily and quickly all that “official” information can become wrong. Suppose, for instance, someone...

transcribes a wrong number, or
puts a CASE into BACK-STOCK without a number, or
works OVERSTOCK to the SHELF without MINUS-ING it on the SHEET, or
Etc., etc.

These types of things go on all day long, day in and day out, every day of the week. It's one reason why PICK LISTS aren't always accurate.

So, instead of relying on corrupt data that's continually becoming even more corrupt, it's best to admit the system is flawed by nature. To accommodate that fact, the STORE routinely Purges the system and makes a fresh start, before all the data wanders too far off into the weeds to be useful.

Purple Tote

n. A usually purple-colored plastic bin with two large, opposing and interlocking tabs for a lid. Typically used to transport and/or ship a collection of small or oddly-shaped ITEMS, such as spices, toothbrushes, etc. Purple Totes are mainly used by the GENERAL MERCHANDISE (GM) DEPARTMENT. Also TUB

NOTE: TUB is the proper name for these things, but apart from the RECEIVER and a few others, nobody will know what you mean unless you call it a Purple Tote.

Sometimes cigarettes or other ITEMS of special value may be shipped in red totes; sometimes not.

Put it in the GUN

v. See GUN.

Stock Clerk / Glossary : « P »

« P » Entries:

« P » Keywords: